APRIL 2025 UPDATE

As we shared at the beginning of the year, Nightingale is in the midst of a number of exciting changes; these changes have encouraged us to think deeply about our structure and how to best serve our unhoused neighbors.

In January, the Board formed a Futures Committee, charged with recommending the future direction(s) for the Nightingale rest stop. This Committee is comprised of current Board members: Bruce Abel, Norma Grier, Daly Merrill, and Susie Andrist. The City of Eugene’s Homeless Services Team also worked closely with the committee. Together, they considered ways for Nightingale to optimize our offerings to residents.

After much consideration, the Futures Committee has recommended that Community Supported Shelters (CSS) become Nightingale’s new site operator, and the Board has approved the recommendation. There are still many details to iron out, and we are excited about CSS’s proposal to Nightingale. The Board believes this is the best option that fits well into our neighborhood, can be a sustainable model long-term, and effectively meets the needs of people who are unhoused in our community. CSS has a long-standing history in Eugene of providing transitional shelter and related support services to improve the quality and dignity of life of people experiencing homelessness – their goals and our own align, and we are excited about Nightingale’s future under their wing.

Nightingale will share more about this transition plan as we are able. 

JANUARY 2025 UPDATE 

The coming months will bring about a number of exciting changes to Nightingale, and offer us a chance to think about broader shifts in our structure. We see this as a time of opportunity.

As you’ve likely heard, we’ve made significant headway in our ongoing infrastructure improvements to bring electrical power, water, and sewer hook-ups to camp. Happily, we’re in the final stages of this years’ long effort. However, installing these amenities will be disruptive. And, to top it off, EWEB plans to dig their new main water line through camp beginning today, January 27. For this reason, we have put a pause on accepting new residents. 

Alongside these happy developments, there is also the truth that services we hoped to deliver – like case management and housing navigation – have gotten more complex than our “working Board” and minimal camp staffing could provide.

As a result of all these changes, the Board has formed a Futures Committee, charged with recommending the future direction(s) for camp. This Committee is comprised of current Board members: Bruce Abel, Norma Grier, Daly Merrill, and Karena Norton. Together, they will consider ways for Nightingale to optimize our offerings to residents – including exploring ways to collaborate with other area entities to help supply or supplement services and/or personnel. Our goal is to have clarity on improved facilities and resident services by the end of March.

You are welcome to contact us about your input, questions, or concerns at nightingale@nightingaleshelters.org. We want to make a decision about camp that fits well into our neighborhood, can be a sustainable model long-term, and effectively meets the needs of people who are unhoused in our community.

We look forward to keeping you updated. 

Best,
Nightingale Hosted Shelters

P.S. Due to the construction and trenching, you may find it easier to hold off on bringing cans and bottles for the next few weeks.